Security strengthened with OC Marathon weeks away

Unattended bags won't be allowed on the grounds and runners will be handed clear bags for their gear. Those are two of the security measures that will be added at the OC Marathon as a result of the Boston bombings.

Organizers for the ninth annual OC Marathon have been meeting with local law-enforcement agencies to increase security at the May 5 event, which is expected to draw about 20,000 participants, said Gary Kutscher, race director.

Race coordinators always have worked closely with police agencies, but officials have been meeting since the Boston Marathon bombings to discuss added security measures at the Orange County event, which includes a full marathon, a half-marathon, and a 5K. A children's race is scheduled for the previous day.

Several of the details have yet to be worked out, but officials plan to hand out clear bags to runners for their gear, and organizers will be telling spectators that unattended bags will not be allowed anywhere near the race routes or connected events, Kutscher said.

Those changes are in direct response to the twin explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon Monday that killed three people and injured more than 170.

Re-evaluating plans

With large and annual events, law-enforcement officials often use a plan set far in advance, making changes if needed. After the Boston bomb attack, authorities met with race officials to make additional changes and re-evaluate plans.

"I think at this point, everyone is going to re-evaluate any gathering with a lot of people," said Kathy Lowe, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Police Department.

People can expect more uniformed personnel at the race, but officials said they were still working out the details of additional security measures.

FBI officials said Tuesday that they suspect the bombs used in the Boston attack were made out of pressure cookers filled with explosive material, shards of metal, ball bearings and nails to inflict the most damage possible. The two bombs are believed to have been placed in black bags that were left in the midst of the cheering and unsuspecting crowd.

Described as a terrorist attack, the explosions sparked increased security measures at public venues and transportation centers across the country.

Organizers for OC Marathon events put a message on their Facebook page Monday afternoon, letting runners know they were monitoring the situation.

"The safety of our runners, volunteers, spectators, and staff is always our top priority," the message read. "We will continue to take every precaution too ensure a safe marathon weekend for all."

Not deterred

Participants quickly responded, most writing that they would not be deterred by the terrorist attack. Some welcomed additional security.

One jokingly asked if it were within race rules to run alongside a bomb-sniffing dog.

"There are an awful lot of runners that are going to run for Boston," he said. "That's the overwhelming response I've seen."

Officials already were expecting more than 20,000 participants – about 3,000 more than last year.

With the size of the crowd and its 26-mile course that runs through multiple cities, the event requires organizers to work closely with police agencies, Kutscher said.

The course takes runners from the starting line at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, up Pacific Coast Highway and north toward Irvine and John Wayne Airport, to the Segerstrom Center of the Arts in Costa Mesa, and finally to the Orange County fairgrounds.

Newport Beach police, the Orange County Sheriff's Department and Costa Mesa police are working with organizers to plan security.

The intent is to not just provide security at the event, but to give people a sense security, officials said.

There are no major changes planned for the race or its course, but officials asked anyone who plans to attend or participate to monitor updates at ocmarathon.com.